Wintertime Fishing Strong in the Southland

Rockfish season has closed, but a mild winter combined with plenty of live squid available for bait has kept the action going.

The Victory out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach reported great fishing this week. Fifteen anglers caught limits of delicious sculpin, 125 perch, 300 sand dabs and a few sand bass.

“It’s great fishing and beautiful weather,” said Mike Blue from the Victory.

Out of Marina del Rey Sportfishing, 31 anglers caught more than 100 sand bass, along with 18 calico bass and 45 sculpin.

Sand dabs, which look like little halibut, are quite tasty. There is no limit on these delectable flounders, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways. There's also a chance for wintertime catches of bass and halibut.

Go fishing with Phil

"Fishing with Phil," part of Philip Friedman Outdoors, will be on the Westerly out of Long Beach Sportfishing Saturday and Sunday for extended half-day action. There will be an 8:30 a.m. seminar and a 9 a.m. departure. The trip will target sculpin, wintertime bass, halibut, perch and sand dabs.

“I think we have a great game plan for the weekend,” veteran Westerly skipper John Ackley said. “First, we are going to get our anglers a sack full of great-eating fish, and then we will go looking for some bass and halibut.”

For reservations, call 424-237-0250 or email fishingwphil@gmail.com.

Quick bites

• Danny Stevenson took over the lead in the Dana Wharf Halibut Derby with a monster 39.3-pound flatfish. The Derby jackpot is currently nearing $1,700. Entrants can fish on Halibut Drift Days or pay an extra $5 on any half- or three-quarter-day trip to be eligible for the big money and prizes.

• Steve Herckt from Orange hoop-netted limits of lobster at the Marina del Rey breakwall this week. “We set our nets at 5:30 p.m. and were headed home with 14 lobster for two of us in less than an hour,” Herckt said. “I don’t know what was better, the fishing or the meal.”